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MSDF appoints first woman to command warship squadron

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Good luck to her.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

I wish her luck. way to go.

The number of people aged between 18 and 26 years old is forecast by the government to shrink to seven million people by 2065 from 11 million last year.

It'll shrink much more than that. This is a conservative estimate.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Excellent news! Women can do anything in Japan.

-8 ( +9 / -17 )

She ain't gettin' tea for nobody!

9 ( +13 / -4 )

Good for her!

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Women can do anything in Japan.

yes they can but this is still a society when women in my company have to wear uniforms (men do not) and women have to get tea for visitors (men do not). So in essence gender discrimination is legal here.

so yes, regarding ability and intelligence they can do as much and more than men, unfortunately society shackles them in many cases.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

Is that another commander she is walking beside?

He has 3 rows of ribbons? (What for is anyone's guess...sewing, campfire, knots??)

She has none. Why is that?

-15 ( +2 / -17 )

Incredible news and congratulations to her!

11 ( +14 / -3 )

He has 3 rows of ribbons? (What for is anyone's guess...sewing, campfire, knots??)

You realize that the SDF has actually been deployed in the past right? I'd hazard a guess that might be where some of those ribbons came from...

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Well I didn't know.

That's why I asked.

I'd like an answer if someone has one. Not a hazard guess.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Milestone. Congratulations, Commander Azuma. 頑張れ!(And if she wants to serve tea to guests in her cabin, like the famous Zen monk, why not?)

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Is that another commander she is walking beside?

He has 3 rows of ribbons? (What for is anyone's guess...sewing, campfire, knots??)

She has none. Why is that?

It is most likely a vice commander or XO accompanying her for the first troop inspection. (Notice how he walks three paces behind)

Notice the flared hemline and exaggerated lapels of her jacket. She is most likely wearing a ceremonial/festive jacket that does not require service merits, ribbons, name plate etc. The singe large medal is meant to represent all those.

See the female seaman 1st class in the front. She has a ribbon and service merit on her regular uniform.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

lucky you

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Congratulations to her! I hope she continues to excel.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

We need more women in such high positions, too many cavemen and oyagis in charge!

4 ( +7 / -3 )

How about the one walking behind her and smiling, bones, caveman or oyaji?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

It's a positive thing, woman are capable of multi tasking actually better then men.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

(And if she wants to serve tea to guests in her cabin, like the famous Zen monk, why not?) nah shell get one of her male lower ranking male officers to do that for her, after all she is the boss now.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

anyways thats one tough looking woman right there, I wouldn't want to step out of line on her boat!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Nandaka

whats understood does not need to be explained.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

(And if she wants to serve tea to guests in her cabin, like the famous Zen monk, why not?) nah shell get one of her male lower ranking male officers to do that for her, after all she is the boss now.

An officer of that rank would have a full time assistant staff of 3 or so NCOs or enlisted.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Well I didn't know.

That's why I asked.

I'd like an answer if someone has one. Not a hazard guess.

Those ribbons are awarded for a vareity of non-combat achievements as well. Disaster relief, every ten years of service, diligence in duty, high achievement in specialized fields, etc.

I also mentioned that they are not worn when wearing certain dress codes, and are replaced with a decorative medal, which explaines why Commander Azuma is wearing one instead of the ribbon stack and surface warfare ship badge.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Thank you very much BeerDeliveryGuy (great name BTW)

For the detailed and polite explanation.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Japan's navy on Tuesday appointed the first woman to command a warship squadron, including the flagship Izumo helicopter carrier, as it tries to lure more females 

In other words she was appointed to satisfy gender equality requirements and be a "postergirl for female recuitment" purposes?

Heard her speak and she sounds shrill and high strung.....

Well, let's support and wish her success in her command and hope she can more than meet the battle challenges should the current political situation turn ugly.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Discrimination by itself is really not a problem as is the negative and detrimental actions and activities taken because of discrimination. There are two sexes... (uh.. may be several more now in the current definition), and they are different physically and otherwise, so the differenecs must be "recognized". That "recognition of differences" is the definition of discrimination.

But that does not mean "equality" by numbers. Positions are determined by capability and ability, not by sex. That also means one cannot "expect" a perfect "balance" in any environment.

The key is in availing "opportunity" fairly to both sexes fo perform in any job in any occupation. But it also does not mean "equal opportunity" because the opportunity will never be equal. Each person is different and with different situation, condition, circumstance and environment bringing a different level of ability, skill, talent, etc. to earn the position.

Obviously she earned the position and deserves it.

With a heavy responsibility of protecting not only the lives of those under her command but by her actions the lives of the entire Japanese nation, I do wish her the very best.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In other words she was appointed to satisfy gender equality requirements and be a "postergirl for female recuitment" purposes?

Although I understand your skepticism, in the case of the navy I’d assume she achieved her rank and position through effort and knowledge.

An army can be built in a few years. Arm some teenagers and put them through a 3to6month basic training. A navy takes decades, if not generations of technological, strategic, and infrastructure development.

Unlike the army where soldier who can carry the most, run fastest, shoot straightest wins. In the navy it’s the sailor who best understands weapons and warship performance specs and limitations who wins. Oversimplified explanation, I know, but navies and armies very different things.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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